Some simple tips to add mood to your images

In photography the mood of an image can be determined by many factors for example, human expressions, special occasions, light setups, action etc. We can also add effects and do simple techniques which are easy to try but quite effective.

In this post, I would like to focus on some of the easier and less expensive techniques almost anyone can do.

Black and white

Using a technique as simple as black and white, can add a lot of emotion, drama or feeling into an image!

Nikon D810 + Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII @ 145mm, ƒ/16, 1/250s, ISO 320

Nikon D810 + Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII @ 82mm, ƒ/10, 1/250s, ISO 320

Use an old lens

Old lenses will have a different rendition of image that can add character and sometimes an artistic style to images.

Fujifilm X-T1 + Yashica Auto Yashinon 5.5cm ƒ/1.8 @ 55mm, ƒ/1.8, 1/1000s, ISO 200

Fujifilm X-T1 + Meyer-Optok Görlitz Diaplan ƒ/3.5, 80mm @ 80mm, ƒ/3.5, 1/2000s, ISO 200

Nikon D750 + Helios 58mm ƒ/2 44m - 4 with reversed front element @ 58mm, ƒ/2, 1/800s, ISO 100

Add a vignette

Vignettes are great for specific types of moods and brings attention to the area of the image that is most important.

Nikon D810 + Nikon 85 1.8G @ 85mm, ƒ/1.8, 1/320s, ISO 180

Nikon D750 + Nikon Nikkor 50mm ƒ/1.4 @ 50mm, ƒ/2, 1/2500s, ISO 100

Add an effect

Sometimes you can simply add a filter to an image and give it an entirely different mood or look. Sometimes it's also a quick fix to an image that may not be perfectly sharp or a bit boring :)

Nikon D750 + Nikon 60mm ƒ/2.8D @ 60mm, ƒ/14, 1/100s, ISO 400

Nikon D750 + Nikon Nikkor 105mm ƒ/2.5 ais @ 105mm, ƒ/2.5, 1/1600s, ISO 100

These are just some of the tips you can try now :) I hope it brings a bit more fun to photography and will post some more tips and techniques soon! :)

Thank you so much for reading!!

Ok, here's a little bonus :)

Selective color

Fujifilm X-T1 + Fujifilm 18-55mm ƒ/2.8-4 @ 18mm, ƒ/5.6, 1/125s, ISO 320